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Restaurant · Chicago, IL

Potbelly Sandwich Works

2739 N Elston Ave

Last inspected Oct 29, 2025 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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ImprovingThe latest inspection recorded fewer violations than the one before it. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

2 inspections

Canvass

Oct 29, 2025

Pass

1 recorded violation

notedCode 49Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED THE INTERIOR OF THE WALK IN COOLERS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO DETAIL CLEAN.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 29, 2025 · Original Source

Canvass

Oct 18, 2024

Pass

2 recorded violations

notedCode 35Food temperature

Official wording

APPROVED THAWING METHODS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED PRE-PACKAGED COOKED CHICKEN AND CHILI THAWING AT THE REAR KITCHEN AREA PREP TABLE AT AMBIENT ROOM TEMPERATURE. INSTRUCTED TO UTILIZE APPROVED METHODS FOR THAWING TCS FOODS SUCH AS UNDER REFRIGERATION OR DURING THE COOKING PROCESS AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature
notedCode 56Facility maintenance

Official wording

ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED

Inspector’s notes

OBSERVED VENT ABOVE UTILITY SINK AND CHEMICAL STORAGE IN REAR KITCHEN AREA TO BE HEAVILY-SOILED WITH DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN VENTILATION SYSTEMS AT ADEQUATE FREQUENCY TO PREVENT BUILD UP OF DUST AND ELIMINATE POTENTIAL SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION AND MAINTAIN.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Chicago Department of Public Health, Oct 18, 2024 · Original Source

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